As they made their way down the passages and hushed corridors they were filled with dread at the stillness of the place.
“It is far too quiet …” Laevon breathed out in a whisper. He knew from all his experience with hunting and tracking that the hunter could soon become the hunted.
As they approached the doors that led to Nerisis’ lair their hearts filled with a new foreboding.
Laevon paused and turned to his sister. “Laeleth, you must stay back. Do not try to interact with her. You are the one she wants - not us,” he spoke with a grave look.
Laeleth nodded as she felt she had no mental resistance to engage such a monster again. Her only thoughts were of Gabriel and attempting to reach him. She was uncertain what she could even do, but after all that had happened she knew Fate would devise a way.
Tallia spoke up as she gripped the hilt of the sword at her side. “I will confront her, as I must. Nerisis will answer for her treachery.”
Laevon nodded at her and replied, “I shall offer any assistance as you may require, Tallia.”
The princess smiled briefly in agreement and placed her hand on the door.
“Do not breathe the incense,” she turned and warned them. “It will consume your senses and cloud your thoughts.” She recalled the overwhelming essence and how it had nearly thwarted her the last time. She knew it had to be a deterrent that the queen had intentionally devised to keep out unwelcome intruders.
At this warning they all pulled their scarves across their faces and entered the solemn entryway. The substance hung in the air and stung their eyes as the door closed behind them. Brother and sister walked side by side as Tallia led the way down the green, smoke-filled hallway.
It was not long before they were standing in the room where the Seer's Eye sat.
Tallia could see it was more illuminated than before. The stone was far more violent in appearance. Its color was of deep purple and was filled with swirling black clouds. Fierce screams could be heard faint on the air as though all of Hell was being summoned forth.
Laevon and Laeleth were amazed by this relic and stood in awe-like silence. Never in all their lives had they seen anything so terrible and potentially destructive. They knew that whatever action Nerisis was planning could only mean utter annihilation of the world they knew.
They had no time for further reflection as the stone ceased its display of chaos. The ominous silence of the room settled around them and an eerie glow of starlight filled the dark void.
Hesperus - the Evening Star - could now be seen sitting atop her gleaming black throne. She appeared as a carved statue - as though she and the throne were one.
Beside her stood the vampire, once known as Gabriel Belmont, but now just a frightening shell of a man.
His expression was grim and fierce while he stared straight ahead. His nails were once again long, razor-like claws. In one hand he clenched the Void sword that was now a blazing blue and shining more brilliantly than ever.
Hesperus did not rise but spoke in a voice that chilled the hearts of all living beings. “How dare you enter the sacred chamber of Hesperus! Such insolence is worthy of death!”
Tallia did not wait for any lengthy or arrogant speech as she stepped forward.
“I am no longer afraid of you, you demon hag!” she declared and held out Volsaeva. The thin, long blade caught the light of the star gems that illuminated the room. The yellow beryl stone on the hilt seemed to come alive and flashed with an amber glow.
The queen did not acknowledge Laevon or Laeleth and seemed distracted over Tallia’s direct rebellion. There was a new courage about the princess that she was unfamiliar with. Hesperus was uncertain what had given her such nerve, but was not going to let it upset her plans.
“Well, if it isn't my precious Tallia, my own dear child,” she spoke in a veiled sneer.
